The Straight Poop: Small Business Saturday – Sandpoint Style

By Drake the Dog
Reader Pet Columnist

Where am I taking my humans today?  I’ll give you a clue. Where do dogs go when they lose a tail? A retail store!

Gretchen with Petco takes a moment to pose with Drake.

With the holidays right around the corner, the Missus is encouraging Mr. Procrastinator (aka “the Mister”) to fetch the day and get the shopping done early. I’m droolin’ over this idea. They will have so much free time, which means I will  have many, many days of winter walks and  rolling in the deep snow.

Wowza, holy dog biscuits! We’re off to Shop Small Saturday Sandpoint Style on Saturday, Nov. 25 (that’s 30 days ‘til the BIG ONE!) Here’s your chance to return the love to all the paw-some K9 businesses. They make our town special by inviting you and your human to experience their hospitality. Shopping small makes a big difference. And if you smile, shake-a-paw, and exhibit your best leash shopping behavior, you might score a special holiday treat.

Look for the Reader Paw Print Stickers on the following barkin’ friendly businesses. You’ll find something for every friend, family member and critter on your list:

For the ARTSY FARTSY:

•Lisa V. Maus Studio

•Hallan’s Gallery

•Something Old, Something New

•Outskirts Hope Market

•Northwest Handmade

For the FOODIE:

•Flying Fish Company

•Kyoko Sushi Bar

For the CAR NUT:

•Taylor and Sons Chevrolet

•Alpine Motors

For the SPORTS ENTHUSIAST:

•The Alpine Shop (Downtown and Schweitzer locations)

For those who love to LOOK GOOD:

•Eve’s Leaves

•Sunshine Goldmine Company

•Carousel

•Creations

•Larson’s Department Store

•Out of the Blue Eyewear

•Once Again Consignment

•Finan McDonald’s

Tim Frazier, owner of Cedar St. Bistro (and Wine Bar) hangs with Drake at the Cedar St. Bridge.

For those who want to DRESS UP THE DOG HOUSE:

•Meadowbrook Home and Gifts

•Sandpoint Upholstery and Design

•Keller Williams Real Estate

•Sandpoint Carpet One

For the PETS:

•Petco

•The Pooch Parlour

•Boomer’s Barley and Biscuits

(in Meadowbrook)

•Cathy’s Critter Care

•EZYDOG

•Panhandle Animal Shelter and

Thrift Shop

•Pend Orielle Vet Service and

Pet Lodge

SANTA’S HELPERS:

•The UPS Store

For the FLOWER LOVER:

•Petal Talk

•Fresh Sunshine Flowers

For the TIPPLER:

•Cedar Street Bistro Wine Bar

•Small House Winery

•Idaho Pour Authority

•Milltown Distillery

•219 Lounge: A Five Star Dive Bar

•MickDuff’s Beer Hall and Brewery

•Laughing Dog Brewery

Something for ALL THE PACK:

•Sharon’s Hallmark

•Simply Sandpoint

•The Christmas Store

•Saturday Market

•Staff of Life

•Kitchen Essentials

•American Angel Studio

•The Sand Stallion

•The Festival at Sandpoint

•The Corner Book Store

•The Reader

•Great Stuff

•North 40

•South Fork Hardware

•KHQ TV

For the MORNING CUPPER:

•Cedar Street Bistro

•Evan’s Brothers Coffee

•Understory Coffee & Tea

DOGGIE DECK DINING:

Sorry folks, no doggie deck dining this time of year. Tell your humans to leash you up outside while they fetch a gift certificate.

•City Beach Organics,

•Chimney Rock Grill

•Gourmandie

•Baxter’s on Cedar

•Ivano’s Ristorante

•Trinity at City Beach

Have fun lapping up my favorite four letter word… SHOP!

Holiday hugs and seasonal dog kisses.

—Drake